Harlan Covington

**Diary Entry** I couldn’t take my eyes off her all evening. My future daughter-in-law just doesn’t seem

In a quiet town near York, where ancient apple orchards whisper secrets of the past, my life at 52 is

In a quiet town near York, where ancient apple orchards whisper secrets of the past, my life at 52 is

“Oh no, James, your mother is not moving in with us” — I laid down the law to my husband.

**Diary Entry** I don’t know if this is normal—my husband’s ex-wife is making my life unbearable.

In a small town near Sheffield, where morning mists cling to old brick houses, my life at 27 has become

Envy, Audacity, and Forced Opinions—I Cut Ties with My Husband’s Family In a quiet market town just outside

Sometimes, I want to slam the door right in my in-laws’ faces—their sheer audacity is tearing my life apart.

I’ve landed myself in proper trouble, I tell you—I’ve become a slave in my own husband’s family.

I didn’t want to burden you yesterday—you were dead on your feet. But her words turned my world upside down.